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Social Security Benefits

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Social Security Benefits

Americans have worked hard for centuries and always have had worries about how will they support themselves when they retire. To help aid retirees, in August 1935, the government established the Social Security Trust fund for retired workers, unemployment insurance, benefits for victims of industrial accidents, the blind, aid for dependent mothers and children, and the physically handicapped(Historical Background and Development of Social Security, 2010). However, the Social Security system is facing serious financial problems due because of a lack of jobs, high unemployment, and layoff rates. So there is no guarantee that Social Security benefits will be available for them when they retire, and therefore should not be used for their retirement safety net.
In 2016, the Social Security system will begin paying more in benefits than they collect in taxes (2009 OASDI Trustees Report, 2009). Without changes by 2037, the Social Security Trust Fund will become exhausted and they will only be able to pay out 76% of scheduled benefits (2009 OASDI Trustees Report, 2009). If changes are not made be 2037, many Americans may have to work long into their retirement years because only receiving 76% of their benefits will not be a sufficient income. Most Americans, do not think that they will have to work extra years before they can retire, but with the average life expectancy in the United States currently at 78 years (CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010), many retirees may never obtain the opportunity to retire. To receive full retirement benefits, Americans must be 67 (Retirement Benefits, 2010). This only gives American workers an average window of 11 years between retirement and death, and without proper planning and saving; they may never enjoy a retirement.
With the Trust Fund depleting rapidly, Americans are hoping Congress will resolve these issues soon to ensure Social Security continues to furnish American workers with foundation of protection for their future. Many Americans are relying on Social Security benefits to be the bulk of their retirement income, but with an estimated 76% payout of Social Security benefits, it should only be a component of retirement funds. Experts recommend that we save about 70% of our pre-retirement income or 90% or more for lower earners, to maintain the standard of living we are accustomed to once we retire (United States Department of Labor, n.d.). Because Social Security only pays retirees an average of 40% of our pre-retirement income, it is important to have other sources of income available (United States Department of Labor, n.d.). To save that extra 30-50 percent, Americans need to research all available avenues of saving and investing for their future. Many jobs offer 401K savings plans, and if so individuals should contribute all they can to it. Besides job related retirement savings plans, Americans should consider an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), which also gains tax advantages, and seek out investment opportunities. Because only 43% of Americans have calculated how much, they need to save for retirement, it is important for all American workers to speak with employers, banks and financial advisor to ensure there monetary future will be secure (United States Department of Labor, n.d.).
Until recently the government took in more revenue than before to fund Social Security. The extra revenue created a trust fund that supplied by the excess revenue from social security taxes. During the next several years, the Baby Boomer population will be retiring. As they retire the working population will shrink, as will the Social Security Trust Fund as these new retirees begin to draw their benefits (Financial Literacy, 10/13/2009). Because the Baby Boomer demographic is so large, they will have a tremendous impact on the Social Security System. America’s working force will dramatically decrease as the Baby Boomer’s who supported the Trust Fund for all these years to draw on it. For this reason working Americans should plan as if there will be no Social Security in their future, and rely on their own financial plans.
Save, save, save is the main point of the article. Social Security will not be here as we know it today. Everyone would love to still be able to enjoy the same type of lifestyle when they retire, which they enjoyed when they were still working. If their job offers any type of savings plan, enlist in it. If not, sit down and come up with a plan. Their future depends on it especially if they will not be eligible for retirement until after 2016. I think that taking as little as 20 dollars per paycheck and putting it in a savings account can add up overtime if their job does not offer any retirement plans. People are always out there searching to find solutions to the problems. Who knows, maybe, by the time 2030 arrives here; we will look back at this article and laugh, but in the meantime just to be safe, go ahead and continue to save.

References
2009 OASDI Trustees Report. (2009, May 12). D. Projections Of Future Financial Status. Retrieved from http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/2009/II_project.html
2009 OASDI Trustees Report. (2009, May 12). The 2009 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds. Retrieved from http://socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/2009/II_highlights.html
CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010, June 28). Life Expectancy. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lifexpec.htm
Financial Literacy. (10/13/2009). Baby Boomers Social Security. Retrieved from http://financialiteracy.com/Boomers/SocialSecurity.aspx
Historical Background and Development of Social Security. (2010, July 20). Traditional Sources of Economic Security. Retrieved from http://www.ssa.gov/history/briefhistory3.html
Retirement Benefits. (2010 January). Electronic Booklets. Retrieved from http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10035.html
United State Department Of Labor. (n.d.). Top 10 Ways To Prepare For Retirement. Retrieved from http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/Publications/10_ways_to_prepare.html
www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/2009/II_highlights.html

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